Livewell Principles Of Peer Support
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We aim to inspire and support all people with depression to live well
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We believe in the power of all people to change and grow
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We see the individual, and not a depressed person
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We acknowledge and celebrate each others strengths
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We expect each other to be kind and compassionate
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We find comfort and strength in sharing experiences
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We know we cannot judge the quality or quantity of another persons pain
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We offer support rather than advice
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We accept we cannot solve other peoples problems
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We embrace humor as a healthy coping strategy
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We reject stigma and will not tolerate discrimination
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We respect and maintain confidentiality at all times
Fall 2021 at LiveWell: Upcoming Events
The Best Depression Support Groups Today
Rogers Behavioral Health
Rogers Behavioral Health is a depression support organization with meeting locations in different states in America. It helps you recognize and address your depressive symptoms related to other mental health issues like anxiety, addiction, and mood disorders. They also specialize in simultaneous or co-morbid conditions that include depression as a symptom. It offers a comprehensive program for children, adolescents, and adults living with depression.
A Lust for Life
A lust for life is a website that offers information, guidance, and tools for better mental health. It uses events, content, and campaigns to encourage young people to be guardians of their mental health. Through the website, the facilitators aim to end the stigma against people with different mental health issues, including depression.
UMass Memorial
UMass Memorial is a support group for people living with bipolar and unipolar depression. It offers help and resources for people living with mood disorders, and support to families with people living with depression.
Mensgroup.com
While most depression support group admit men and women on the same platform, mensgroup.com is an all men online support group. With the COVID-19 pandemic, mensgroup ensures you can access a depression support group for the comfort of your home.
Why Are Support Groups Important For Our Mental Health
Surrounding yourself with people you can lean on during tough times will help speed up the healing process.
Having a strong support system is important for our mental health, since having people you trust and can turn to can help you manage everyday challenges, says Dr. Schiff. Its vital that you have people you feel comfortable talking to about what youre experiencing and what support you may need. Having a social support system has been shown to have a positive impact on your overall mental health and emotional support can help buffer some of lifes stressors and improve your ability to cope with stress. Social support can build you up and give you the strength to not only carry on, but to thrive.
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Support Groups For Individuals With Mental Illness
Crisis Lines offer one-on-one support and advice in times of crisis. National suicide prevention hotlines are 800.273.8255 or 800.784.2433. For Spanish speakers, call 888.628.9454. The Crisis Text Line is 741-741. County crisis lines can also be helpful
Child and Family Connections Offers online and telephone parent support group for parents who have a mental illness. www.childfamilyconnections.org
Depression and Bipolar Support offers online support groups 3 day a week for people with mood disorders. www.dbsalliance.org
Depression Forums is a website and bulletin board with information, links, live chat and more for people who have mood disorders. www.depressionforums.org
Depression Understood offers forums and chatrooms for people with depression www.depression-understood.org
GovTeen is a forum for and by teens with mental health problems and other topics. www.govteen.org
GriefNet offers dozens of email support groups for adults and children. www.griefnet.org
National Alliance on MentalIllness offers discussion groups and blog for people with mental illness and family members. www.nami.org
OK2Talk is online blog for teens and youth to share their feelings about mental illness. www.ok2talk.org
Psych Central Community Connection offers many different online forums related to mental health.
ReachOut Sponsored by SAMHSA and Inspire USA Foundation, reachout.com is a teen site with facts, real stories, support and forums. www.reachout.com
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Online Support Groups
Online support groups offer benefits that can leave participants feeling accepted and uplifted.
Mental health organizations and support programs have also shared feedback on the impact of virtual meetings. On the NAMI website, the organization shares praise from NAMI Connection participants.
One testimony on the NAMI website states, The program has given me additional tools to not only accept my illness but to help others along the way.
Support groups members may benefit from:
- 24/7 forums and chat rooms
- global access to people outside your community
- accessibility
- anonymity and privacy
Some downsides of internet support groups are the pitfalls of technology. Issues, like an unstable Wi-Fi connection, can make virtual meetings more difficult, so its best to find a suitable location with a strong signal.
Etiquette is also important when attending an online meeting, since it can be distracting to be in a loud space with background noise or to talk over other members.
Asynchronous groups, like message boards, allow participants to access the group at any time and provide the ability to carefully craft responses to other members. While messaging allows on-demand access, text may be misinterpreted, since written responses lack vocal intonation and tone.
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Best Online Anxiety Support Groups Of 2021
- Best for Free One-on-One Support: 7 Cups of Tea
- Best Peer-to-Peer Support Group: TheTribe
- Most Active Anxiety Forum: Daily Strength
- Best for Joining Multiple Support Groups: SupportGroups.com
- Cost: Free.
- Therapy Modalities: Discussion Forum.
Why We Chose It: SMART Recovery offers support for changing self-destructive patterns for anxiety and addiction sufferers.
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Help for family/friends of sufferers
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Not geared towards anxiety specifically
SMART Recovery isnt just for people with anxiety: Its also for anyone who has experienced addiction. And since 20% of individuals with anxiety are likely to experience a substance abuse problem, a support group that addresses both substance use and anxiety may be a useful resource for many individuals.
The program doesnt use labels like “addict” or “alcoholic.” Instead, it talks about changing self-destructive habits. The program leaders acknowledge that addictive behaviors serve a purposethey help people cope with lifes problems in the short term. But they also explain that addictive behavior creates new problems and makes existing ones worse in the long-term.
SMART Recovery focuses on teaching healthy coping skills that work. Meetings address present-day events and the causes of self-destructive behavior. Members arent required to revisit the past.
National Alliance On Mental Illness Connection Recovery Support Group
Cost: free
Peer-to-peer support has many benefits, according to researchers. By connecting with others who share your condition, you feel less alone, can learn tried-and-true coping strategies, and even remove some of the stigma surrounding depression.
Thats where NAMI comes in. Following a structured model, NAMIs groups are filled with people who have experienced the same mental health symptoms. Plus, theyre led by people whove been in your shoes.
Their 90-minute meetings, most of which occur weekly, are confidential spaces in which you can share your experience and difficulties without feeling judged. Whats more, youll likely walk away with some helpful advice and solutions to what may be getting you down at the moment.
What we like
- All groups follow a structured model that ensures everyone in the session can share and receive support.
- Youll feel less alone knowing that many others are experiencing the same thoughts and feelings as you.
- You have the opportunity to help others, which, lets face it, is a great feeling.
What to look out for
- Groups arent led by mental health professionals.
- Groups are based by location, and if one isnt available near you, you may need to start your own.
13% or about 1 in 8 women in the United States.
But, the reality is that its not only mothers and birthing people who may experience postpartum depression. It can affect a variety of populations.
What we like
What to look out for
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We’re Here For Teens Too
Are you 13-17 years old?
We have listeners available especially for teens, so you can chat confidentially whenever you need to.
You can also join our lively teen community forums and chat rooms to share with peers who understand what you’re going through. Get support and make new friends along the way.
Depression And Bipolar Illness Support Groups
Note: These groups are for adults 18 years and older
These two separate groups offer opportunities to share ideas for coping, link with community resources, develop a support network, learn about depression and bipolar illness, and discuss issues of stigma.
- When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month 5:00 pm 6:15 pm
- Group Leaders: post-graduate social work fellows will be the facilitators of the groups in conjunction with Laura Nitzberg, LMSW, supervising the program.
- Cost: Free
Read Also: Emory Treatment Resistant Depression Clinic
Coronavirus Emergency Appeal For Funds
Demand for our services is increasing due to the Coronavirus and we desperately need funds to contine our vital services supporting those who are vulnerable, at risk, isolated and victims of any form of abuse. Please help us to continue our vital services by making a donation or grant. Information, advice, support on the Coronavirus can be found by.
Best For Support Group Directory: Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a list of support groups for people with mental health struggles. These are not groups run by the ADAA itself, but rather a service that the organization provides to help individuals find communities that help them manage their depression and other mental health issues.
The ADAA lists both in-person and online support groups, so individuals should be able to either find one nearby or take advantage of technology to connect with a group.
In addition to a support group directory, the ADAA also provides webinars, podcasts, videos, books, and brochures to help support people’s mental health needs, as well as an online anxiety and depression support community. In this way, the ADAA is a standout resource for initiating a search for a depression support group or for finding other resources to improve mental health.
It’s important to note that participating in a support group is not a substitute for a diagnosis or treatment from a professional and that the role of communities such as those suggested by the ADAA and other organizations is to help people feel less alone and to have a support system to lean on when things are not going well.
There is no fee to join the online support community run by ADAA. Most in-person support groups listed in the directory will also be free to join, but it’s best to inquire about any associated costs with local communities.
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Feeling Down Heres 36 Depression Chat Rooms To Try
Depression chat rooms can be helpful when overwhelming feelings of depression take control of your mind. Talking with supportive, caring and like-minded people can do wonders for your mental health. The ability to convey your thoughts will go a long way to aiding your recovery process.
If you dont have an immediate person that you feel comfortable using as an outlet, these chat rooms can be quite helpful. Their instantaneous and anonymous nature can provide a safe place for you to convey your feelings.
Luckily, there is no shortage of places you can turn to. Below, weve provided our list of 34 depression chat rooms that you can access right now.
Best For Joining Multiple Support Groups: Supportgroupscom
SupportGroups.com
- Cost: Free.
- Therapy Modalities: Discussion forum, private messages.
Why We Chose It: Individuals, family and friends of people with mental illnesses can join as many support groups as they want with SupportGroups.com.
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Support for individuals as well as family and friends
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Join multiple groups
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Several ways to interact with others on site
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Very basic website
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Feels a bit like a social media site
SupportGroups.com aims to bring people together through life challenges by providing concise, up-to-date information and a meeting place for individuals, friends, and family members who offer pathways to help.
Simply create a username and password and youll be ready to participate in the online forums. Forum posts may be text-only or you can also add a picture to your post.
Unlike some sites that only allow you to join one group, SupportGroups.com encourages you to join as many groups as you like. There are many other group topics, including things like back pain, ADHD, bullying, food allergies, self-esteem, video game addiction, and stress.
Youll have a public profile that will allow other members to see the information you choose to share, such as a bio or the reason you joined a support group. Members will also be able to see your recent activity and when you were last active.
You can also volunteer to support someone in need and you will be connected with someone who is interested in chatting.
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Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and treating a variety of mental health conditions, including depression.
Through science-backed programs and outreach, the organization aims to eradicate the stigma surrounding depression and anxiety. With more than 30 years under its belt, the ADAA helps people around the world and attracts more than 11 million web visitors per year.
The association provides free in-person and virtual support groups in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Theres also a thriving online anxiety and depression support group with more than 59,000 members. The forum, hosted on the social network HealthUnlocked, provides a safe space for people to chat anonymously about their experiences.
Do I Need Health Insurance To Receive This Service
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
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Depression Discord And Slack Groups
Note: Both Slack and Discord are popular apps designed to help people talk to each other in real time. You will have to download the app in order to join these chats.
17) Make New Friends Here
Make New Friends Here is a site that was born from the SubReddit r/MakeNewFriendsHere. It is a good resource to connect with others, creating more personal relationships for more engaging one on one and group conversations.
18) r/Anxietys Discord
Its not r/Depression, but r/Anxiety has an active Discord group that features people chatting at all hours of the day. They would be happy to chat with you about depression even though they are focused on anxiety they just want to help.
19) The Haven
The Haven is an 18 and over community of peers who support each other through mental illness and life. They are also an official nonprofit organization looking to help members with financial aid or access to mental health care.
20) House of Misfits
House of Misfits is a mental health discord that doesnt shy away from the uncomfortable and hard situations that arise from mental illness. They are a community designed to support you through anything.
21) Gamers Fighting Depression
Discord started primarily as a chat app built for gamers. While the app now serves all communities, they still have an active chat designed for those who love gaming that are struggling with depression.
22) Mental Warriors
23) 18percent.org
What Are Online Depression Support Groups
Online support groups are becoming a more commonplace format for those experiencing mental health conditions. There are two types of online support groups for depression: asynchronous and synchronous.
- Asynchronous support groups. These groups arent subject to a scheduled time or place. They follow a message board format and allow users to share a post and comment on other posts at any time. The 24-hour access of these forums are an attractive feature for people who prefer to reach out on their own timeline rather than wait until a group meeting arrives. Traditionally, synchronous support groups are peer-led.
- Synchronous online support groups. These groups have the most similarities to face-to-face meetings. Usually hosted on a video chat platform, they provide an in-person feel from behind your computer screen. Unlike local meetings, these online groups allow you to connect with people from around the world instead of the confines of your city. These groups typically happen weekly or bi-weekly and can last 1 to 2 hours.
Recommended Reading: Natural Remedies Depression And Memory Loss
What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Also visit the online treatment locator.
If You Are In A Crisis Situation
Most importantly, if you have feelings of suicide or self-harm it is important to connect with counselors and volunteers who are trained to handle crisis situations. We recommend:
2) Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line is staffed by volunteers that have completed a 30 hour training program designed to qualify them to be able to help guide you from a hot moment to a cool calm. They will also help you develop a plan to stay safe and healthy.
Text: Text CONNECT to 741741
3) Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat
The National Suicide Prevention Lifelines chat is committed to connecting individuals with counselors to help provide emotional support in times of crisis. Their chat is always available, 24./7, throughout the United States.
4) IMAlive
IMAlive is an instant-messaging service designed for the 30% of people who call crisis hotlines and hang up as soon as they hear a human voice. Their service is designed to help those who will respond better to an online chat than they would a phone conversation.
5) Worldwide Crisis Lines
While we are US based, the need for access to crisis lines is a worldwide one. We recommend Wikipedias always updated list crisis lines.
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